California Hits in a Creole Kitchen
Warehouse District · New Orleans · Creole, Seafood · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 14, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The list lands with a confident California thump — Kistler, Far Niente, Jordan, Stag's Leap all present and accounted for. It's a roster that reads like someone pulled up a greatest-hits playlist and hit shuffle. Wine Spectator has been watching since 2020, and the list earns that credential, even if it doesn't chase it.
This is a California-forward list through and through, and it leans hard into the names that sell: Cakebread, Duckhorn, Ridge, Far Niente. It works for the crowd, and it pairs logically with the kitchen's rich Creole fare, but don't come looking for Rhône Rangers, natural pours, or anything with a funky label. The $40–$150 range gives you real options without forcing a second mortgage, though a few bottles push past $200 for the premium names. There's a gap where Old World selections could add texture, but Briquette isn't pretending to be something it's not.
Twelve to twenty pours is a solid by-the-glass program for a neighborhood Creole spot — enough variety to find your footing without analysis paralysis. Expect the usual California suspects to dominate the pour list. Rotation feels slow; don't count on anything surprising showing up mid-season.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $85
Jordan consistently punches above its retail weight in a restaurant setting, and at Briquette it doesn't get gouged as hard as the marquee names. Classic Alexander Valley Cab that holds up against the kitchen's richer dishes.
Ridge Vineyards Zinfandel
Everyone reaches for the Cabernet with a Creole menu, but Ridge Zin is the smarter call — it's got the spice and fruit density to hang with bold, smoky flavors without bulldozing them. Most tables walk right past it.
Far Niente Chardonnay
Far Niente is a fine wine, but restaurant markups on this bottle tend to run steep, and you're paying for brand recognition more than anything your palate will notice over a bowl of gumbo. The Kistler delivers a better experience for less friction.
Kistler Chardonnay + Snapper Ponchartrain
The Kistler's rich, toasty California Chardonnay profile is a natural anchor for the butter-forward, crab-laden Ponchartrain sauce — neither one drowns the other out, and the wine's bright acidity keeps the whole thing from feeling heavy.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Briquette won't surprise you with the wine list, but it'll take care of you — solid California names, fair enough pours, and a setting that makes a glass of Jordan feel exactly right. Send your out-of-town guests here without hesitation.
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Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
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The Country Club is a genuinely wild New Orleans experience that happens to have a respectable, fairly priced wine list attached — and that's more than most places with a pool and a clothing policy can say. Send a friend here for the vibe, tell them to order the Riesling with the shrimp and grits, and let the afternoon take care of itself.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Tableau is a reliable, well-curated stop for serious wine drinkers who also want one of the better dining rooms in the French Quarter. The list earns its Wine Spectator nod — just keep an eye on which bottles you're reaching for if the check matters.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
French Quarter / Riverfront · New Orleans · Creole
Miss River earns its Wine Spectator nod — this is a genuinely thoughtful list tucked inside a hotel restaurant, with a real sommelier and real producers backing it up. Markup keeps it from being a destination for the wine alone, but paired with the food, it's one of the better all-in dining experiences on the river.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Warehouse District · New Orleans · Regional
Meril is a reliable wine destination in a city that doesn't always take its wine lists seriously — with a real sommelier, a credible California-France selection, and fair pricing, it earns its Award of Excellence the honest way. Send a friend here, tell them to look past the obvious Napa picks, and let Lauren Briley's list do the rest.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
French Quarter · New Orleans · French, European
MaMou is a Burgundy love letter set inside a French Quarter bistro, and for the right diner — someone who wants to eat duck confit and drink Drouhin — it absolutely delivers. Just know what you're walking into: a focused, France-first list with prices that reflect it.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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